Optical filter assembly for image-capturing device

ABSTRACT

A removably attachable optical device includes a clamp comprising an upper clamp member and a lower clamp member. When the clamp is mounted on a mobile device, the upper member extends over a device side to enable an orifice formed by the upper clamp member to be positioned over an aperture of the mobile device. An optical element housing has a portion configured to engage the an upper clamp member. A non-uniform optical element is rotatably mounted to the optical element housing. Rotation of the non-uniform optical element causes light passing through the non-uniform optical element as the non-uniform optical element is rotated to be correspondingly altered to create optical effects.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO ANY PRIORITY APPLICATIONS

Any and all applications for which a foreign or domestic priority claimis identified in the Application Data Sheet as filed with the presentapplication are hereby incorporated by reference under 37 CFR 1.57.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

This document relates to optical filters and mounting assemblies.

Description of the Related Art

As camera technology improves and utilization of the Internet grows,more individuals than ever before are capturing and sharing photo orvideo content on a daily basis. Users are able to capture photo andvideo using devices including smartphones, DSLR cameras, drone cameras,portable handheld cameras, wearable cameras, traditional film camerasand the like. Additionally, businesses, filmmakers, musicians, socialmedia influencers and more are using tools in order to help their photoand video content stand out from the immense quantity of image-basedcontent available. However, such conventional tools suffer from a myriadof deficiencies.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more aspects inorder to provide a basic understanding of such aspects. This summary isnot an extensive overview of all contemplated aspects, and is intendedto neither identify key or critical elements of all aspects nordelineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is topresent some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as aprelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a removably attachableoptical device configured to position an optical element over anaperture of a mobile device, the removably attachable optical devicecomprising: a clamp comprising: an upper clamp member having a first endand a second end, wherein the second end comprises a threaded orifice,and a lower clamp member having a first end and a second end, where theupper clamp member and the lower clamp member intersect at a pivotpoint; a tension structure configured to urge respective seconds ends ofthe clamp members towards each other into a closed position so that whenthe clamp is mounted on the mobile device: the upper member extends overa portion of a first side of the mobile device, and the lower memberextends over a portion of a second side of the mobile device, to enablethe upper clamp member threaded orifice to be positioned over theaperture of the mobile device; an optical element housing having athreaded portion configured to threadably engage the upper clamp memberthreaded orifice; a non-uniform optical element rotatably mounted to theoptical element housing, wherein rotation of the non-uniform opticalelement causes light passing through the non-uniform optical element asthe non-uniform optical element is rotated to be correspondinglyaltered.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a removably attachableoptical device, the removably attachable optical device comprising: anattachment assembly configured to removably couple the removablyattachable optical device to a portable communication image capturedevice comprising an aperture, the attachment assembly comprising: anoptical element housing receiving area, the optical element housingreceiving area configured to position an optical element housing overand/or around the aperture; the optical element housing, the opticalelement housing configured to engage the optical element housingreceiving area of the attachment assembly; and a non-uniform opticalelement rotatably mounted using the optical element housing, whereinrotation of the non-uniform optical element causes light passing throughthe non-uniform optical element, as the non-uniform optical element isrotated, to be correspondingly altered.

An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of manufacturinga removably attachable optical device for use in modifying light to beprovided to an aperture of an image capturing device, the method ofmanufacturing the removably attachable optical device comprising:providing an attachment assembly configured to removably couple theremovably attachable optical device to an image capture device having anaperture; providing an optical element housing configured to bepositioned over and/or around the aperture; and rotatably mounting anon-uniform optical element to the optical element housing, whereinrotation of the non-uniform optical element causes light passing throughthe non-uniform optical element as the non-uniform optical element isrotated to be correspondingly altered by the non-uniform opticalelement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will now be described with reference to the drawingssummarized below. These drawings and the associated description areprovided to illustrate example aspects of the disclosure, and not tolimit the scope of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of example embodiments of non-uniform patternswithin a filter apparatus that each create a unique, reflective imagewhen paired with an image-capturing device.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of an example embodiment of a non-uniformfilter shown in FIG. 1 as a part of a removably attachable assembly fora smartphone camera or other device.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of an example embodiment of a non-uniformfilter shown in FIG. 1 as a part of a removably attachable assembly fora camera lens or other lens configured to receive a filter.

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a non-uniformfilter shown in FIG. 1 as a part of an alternative removably attachableassembly for a smartphone camera or other device in which thenon-uniform filter is removably attachable as part of a multi-componentsystem including a removably attachable lens filter and case for asmartphone or other device.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a non-uniformfilter shown in FIG. 1 as a part of a removably attachable assembly fora smartphone camera or other device, in which the filter assembly isattached in such a way that the filter can be manually rotated by a userin either direction with respect to the position of the camera.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of an example embodiment of a non-uniformfilter shown in FIG. 1 as a part of a removably attachable assembly fora smartphone camera or other device, in which the filter assembly isattached in such a way that the filter can rotate in either directionwith respect to the position of the camera and is motivated by anelectric motor housed in the assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The use of cameras to capture images has become ubiquitous. An issueencountered with recreational or professional photography or videographyis that a user may, want to create an optical effect on all or part of aphoto or video the user is capturing. Conventionally, in order to enablecustomization of still or video images, certain software programs havebeen deployed that enable post-capture editing of still images and videoimages. Such software programs may allow users to edit images or videosand apply software created filters. In addition, certain conventionallenses have been deployed such as fisheye lenses, wide-angle lenses,macro lenses, and telephoto lens that provide corresponding opticaleffects. Further, relatively simple optical filters have been deployed,such as colorized filters, polarization filters, diffraction filters andthe like.

However, disadvantageously, conventional software programs are oftenvery time consuming to utilize in achieving the desired effects, as wellas requiring powerful processing and substantial amounts of memory,particularly when being applied to video images. Further, the use ofsoftware programs to create optical effects is often disfavored as manyphotographers and videographers prefer to apply such effects before orduring image capture, and prefer to do so using a physical apparatus.One reason for this preference is that working with natural light beforethe shot is captured typically produces a more authentic and realisticeffect as compared to creating the effect in a software program after aphoto or video is captured.

Still further, conventional optical filters often provide relativelysimple effects and are often inadequate to achieve desired filtering.

Disclosed herein are various optical filters and other opticalenhancement devices that provide certain effects and that overcome someor all of the noted deficiencies of conventional approaches. Furtherdescribed herein are various methods and assemblies for mounting and/ormanipulating optical filters and other optical enhancement devices. Inaddition, certain manufacturing processes and apparatus are describedherein.

Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to example physicaloptical enhancement assemblies that attach to an electronic device usingvarious securing methods (e.g., in order to create a fractalized and/orreflective pattern on light entering an image-capturing device). Certainaspects of the present disclosure relate to example structures ofenhancement assemblies as well as various methods and techniques formanufacture and use of optical enhancement assemblies.

Another issue encountered with recreational or professional photographyor videography is that a user may want to create multiple effectssimultaneously with respect to all or part of a photo or video the useris capturing. Some software programs also allow a user to apply multipleeffects after the photo or video is captured, however, as discussedabove, many photographers and videographers prefer to apply theseeffects before or during image capture using a physical apparatus inorder to produce a more authentic and realistic appearance in the imageor video they are capturing. Further, as discussed above, conventionalsoftware programs are often very time consuming to utilize in achievingthe desired effects, as well as requiring powerful processing andsubstantial amounts of memory.

Thus, aspects of the present disclosure relate to example assembliesthat include example structures in which there are multiple opticalelements present in at least the portion of an optical enhancementassembly which may be used to cover the aperture of an image-capturingdevice. Example embodiments of these assemblies optionally include twoor more optical elements including, but not limited to, polarizationfilters, solid or gradient colorized filters, diffraction filters, UVfilters, neutral density filters, diffusion filters, long exposurefilters, 3-dimensional geometric shapes, prisms, and/or other opticalelements.

Different optical enhancement assemblies disclosed herein may utilizedifferent positioning of the optical element within the opticalenhancement assembly and may utilize differently shaped assemblies andoptical elements. By way of non-limiting example, optionally an opticalenhancement assembly may be circular, where a first optical elementforms an outer ring, while a second optical element forms an innercircle within that ring. Another example optical enhancement assemblymay have a polygon shape (e.g., a square, rectangle, pentagon, etc.)where a first optical has a polygon shape (e.g., a square, rectangle,pentagon, etc.) covering a first portion of the aperture (e.g., a lefthalf) when the assembly is mounted to the image capture device, while asecond optical element may also have a polygon shape (e.g., a square,rectangle, pentagon, etc.), and covers a second portion of the aperture(e.g., a right half).

An additional issue encountered with recreational or professionalphotography or videography is that a user may want to create liveeffects on all or part of a video the user is capturing. Some softwareprograms also allow a user to apply effects after the video is captured,however, as discussed above, many photographers and videographers preferto apply these effects before or during image capture using a physicalapparatus in order to produce a more authentic and realistic appearancein the image or video they are capturing. Further, as discussed above,conventional software programs are often very time consuming to utilizein achieving the desired effects, as well as requiring powerfulprocessing and substantial amounts of memory.

To address the foregoing and/or other needs and to overcome thedeficiencies in conventional approaches, disclosed herein are opticalenhancement assemblies that include example non-uniform opticalstructures configured to overlay an aperture of an image capture device.For example, a non-uniform structure may include a prism or two or moreunique optical elements. By way of yet further example, a non-uniformstructure may include a reflective or refraction element/structure thatreflects or refracts light directionally in such a way that placing theoptical element over the aperture produces one image with a first set ofoptical effects, while rotating the optical element relative to theaperture produces a second image with different optical effects. By wayof still further example, a non-uniform structure may include areas inwhich some of the material of the optical element is absent from theportion of the optical enhancement assembly that covers the aperture, sothat the material only covers some, and not all, of the aperture. Forexample, with respect to the area in which the material of the opticalelement is absent, the area could either be filled by a non-imagealtering material, such as flat optical glass or plastic, or could beleft open, so there is no material present between a part of theaperture and the subject of the image when capturing a photo or video.The various optical structures may be in a common plane, or have basesin a common plane.

When an optical enhancement assembly includes non-uniform opticalelements, rotating the assembly's orientation relative to the apertureof an image-capturing device produces a different image than was createdusing the previous orientation of the assembly. Therefore, when a usercaptures a video through a non-uniform optical enhancement assemblyattached to an image-capturing device, rotating the assembly during thevideo capture will produce effects that change and evolve over frames asthe video is captured.

Example non-uniform assemblies may include, but are not limited to,embodiments in which the entire optical enhancement assembly rotates,embodiments in which only the portion of the optical enhancementassembly that covers the aperture of the image-capturing device rotates,embodiments in which the rotation is performed manually by the user,embodiments in which there are multiple stacked optical elements whichmay be separately rotated or rotated as a group of two or more opticalelements, and embodiments in which the rotation is performed by anelectric motor that is part of the assembly.

Example non-uniform assemblies may further include embodiments in whichthe rotation performed by an electric motor, where the motor iscontrolled by the user via a software application hosted on a userdevice (e.g., a paired smartphone app) configured to enable the user tocontrol (via a graphical user interface or voice command) the speedand/or direction of the rotation, or select a preprogrammed rotationalpattern. In an embodiment in which the rotation performed by theelectric motor, the motor may be controlled by the user via a softwareapplication hosted on a user device (e.g., the image capture device towhich the assembly is mounted), the software application may beconfigured to enable the user to select a range of speed settings (e.g.,slow, medium, or fast, or a numerical scale such as 1-5, or via acontinuous speed control) via a speed setting user interface.Optionally, the software application maybe configured to enable the userto select, via a rotation setting user interface, whether the rotationcreated by the motor is to be performed clockwise or counterclockwiserelative to the aperture of the image-capturing device.

Optionally, the software application may be configured to enable theuser to select via a tilt user interface whether the assembly is to tiltforward toward the subject of the image-capturing device, back towardsthe user operating the image-capturing device, to the left of the user,or to the right of the user. Optionally, the software application may beconfigured to enable the user to control via a user interface whetherthe assembly moves the optical elements away from the user and towardthe subject on an axis drawn between the user and the subject of animage, or toward the user and away from the subject. Optionally, thesoftware application may be configured to enable the user to select fromone of multiple filters present in the optical enhancement assemble. Forexample, the optical enhancement assemble may include multiple opticalfilters that are mounted on a carousel or similar mechanism that enablesthe filters to be interchanged (e.g., by rotating the carousel) to thusenable any one of the filters to cover the aperture of theimage-capturing device at given time, depending on the user filterselection.

Various aspects will now be discussed in still further detail. Thefollowing description includes, among other aspects, systems and methodsfor constructing a removably attachable non-uniform filter assemblydesigned for optical enhancement in photography and/or videography,systems and methods of affixing the assembly to an image-capturingdevice, as well as systems and methods of manipulating the assembly toproduce optical effects that change as a result of the manipulation overa period of time.

In various example embodiments, systems and methods can be used tocreate and use an optical enhancement assembly. By way example, anassembly can be created by creating a 3-dimensional pattern in opticalmaterial. Optical material includes any material that is via which thewavelengths of light for which the optical material is designed may passthrough. Optical material may be glass, plastic, another materialsuitable for the described purpose, or a combination of two or moretypes of materials. One such method for producing the 3-dimensionalpattern in the optical material is by creating a drawing (e.g., using aCAD (Computer Aided Design) system) of a specific prismatic pattern. Theprismatic pattern drawing is then used to produce a manufacturing mold.Liquid or molten optical material is then injected into the mold andallowed to harden into the 3-dimensional prismatic shape(s) configuredto reflect and transmit light. The hardened material may then be removedfrom the mold.

Example embodiments of a prismatic shape optionally are composed of acircular or polygon shaped optical material having a repeatingtriangular pattern. Optionally, the angle of the outer surface of thematerial of some or all of the upwardly-oriented triangles is the same,relative to the y-axis of the optical material, while the angle of someor all of the downwardly-oriented triangles is about the same, butdifferent than that of the upwardly-oriented triangles. Optionally, someof the triangles may be truncated around the perimeter of the shape,where the triangles would otherwise cross the perimeter.

The 3-dimensional prismatic filter is optionally configured to be placedover an aperture of an image-capturing device. An image-capturing devicemay include any apparatus capable of recording light patterns (e.g.,digitally recording or recording on a film). Examples of image-capturingdevices include, but are not limited to, still cameras, video cameras,and other devices that include one or more apertures configured toenable light patterns to be recorded (e.g., where the aperture maycomprise a lens configured to focus light onto a solid state lightsensor or film). Further examples include multipurpose devices thatcontain still cameras and/or video cameras such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablet computers, laptops, glasses, augmented reality headsets,desktop computers, drones, video game devices, media players, wearableor handheld cameras, watches, remote devices, and the like.

Once the non-uniform filter (or other optical enhancement mechanism) isconstructed, the non-uniform filter can be affixed to at least one typeof securing agent. A securing agent can include various types ofmaterials or mechanisms, such as those described herein, configured toenable a user to affix the optical enhancement mechanism over and/or tothe aperture of an image-capturing device and also enable the user toeasily remove the optical enhancement mechanism from the image-capturingdevice.

In a non-limiting example, the securing agent may include apressure-sensitive adhesive layer affixed to the optical enhancementmechanism (or to an optical enhancement assembly that includes theoptical enhancement mechanism) and the image-capturing device may be asmartphone. A user may position the optical enhancement assembly overthe camera lens (aperture) of the smartphone and apply pressure toengage the securing agent, causing the assembly to removably adhere tothe smartphone. Later, when the user wishes to remove the opticalenhancement assembly, the user can disengage the securing agent bypeeling the assembly off of the smartphone. In other examples, thesecuring agent may include a clamp, a threading portion (e.g.,configured to threadably engage a mating thread on or around theaperture), a slide in assembly (e.g., including one or a more ofretaining rails configured to receive slide members), a snap-in assembly(e.g., a snap-in fastener configured to mate with a snap member of theoptical enhancement assembly, and with a button or other control torelease the optical enhancement assembly), or a magnetic assembly(configured to be magnetically couple to a ferrous material on theimage-capturing device or a case thereon) to removably affix the opticalenhancement assembly with the image-capturing device.

After the optical enhancement assembly is affixed to the image-capturingdevice, a user may initiate a recording of an image. In an example, acamera shutter for the image-capturing device opens for auser-determined length of time and light is allowed to enter theaperture of the image-capturing device. The image-capturing device canthen record the light as a still image and/or a video comprising aplurality of frames. The recording operation may include saving theimage and/or video to the image-capturing device's memory and/oruploading the image or video to various services, including but notlimited to a cloud-based photo library, a social media network, and/or amessaging service.

Certain examples will now be discussed with reference to the figures.

With reference to FIG. 1, an assortment of example non-uniform filtersare illustrated. In the illustrated examples, each filter is constructedof one or more optical materials. The illustrated example filters have acircular shape. The filters are optionally configured to be placed overthe aperture of an image-capturing device via a securing agent (e.g.,such as the securing agents discussed herein). While certain examples,before and hereafter, may depict certain geometric shapes, including,but not limited to circles, triangles and squares, any number ofconceivable geometric shapes, and combinations thereof, may be utilized.For example, the filters may be in the form of an oval or polygon.Additionally, the securing agent itself may be configured in a shapecorresponding to the shape of the filter. For example, although thesecuring agent may be depicted to have a circle shape, the securingagent may be configured to be one of any number of different conceivablegeometric shapes including, but not limited to, a circle, triangle,square, or other shape of any number of sides, equilateral andnon-equilateral.

The first example filter assembly 110 includes a repeating raisedtriangular pattern 120 in which the angle of the outer surface of thematerial within each upwardly-oriented triangle 130 is about the same,relative to the y-axis of the filter assembly 150, while the angle ofeach downwardly-oriented triangle 140 is about the same, but differentthan that of the upwardly-oriented triangles. Perimeter triangles of thepattern may be truncated due to the circular shape in which they arecontained.

The second example filter assembly 111 includes an outer ring of opticalmaterial 121 with angled surfaces 131. In this example, the inner circle141 is optionally non-light altering translucent or transparent materialand features no physical material that would materially alter visiblelight traveling to an image-capturing device. For example, the innercircle may comprise flat optical glass or plastic. The example filterassembly 111 enables photographers and videographers to capture theprimary subject of a photograph or video with clarity (via light passingthrough the inner circle 141), while creating reflective effects aroundthe perimeter of an image (via light passing through the outer ring ofoptical material circle 121). Optionally, rather than including flatoptical glass or plastic, the inner circle 141 may not include physicalmaterial, and may comprise a central hole in the assembly 111.

The third example filter assembly 112 includes a square sheet ofdiffraction material 122 housed in the center of the assembly 112, withthe four corners extending to the perimeter of the assembly 112. Theouter portions 132 of the assembly 112 are composed of a CAD-designed 3Draised prismatic element, as similarly depicted in the first filterassembly 110 with respect to angled prismatic surfaces 142. The examplefilter assembly 112 has a diffraction material 122 with a fractalizedpattern etched into its surface. For example, the pattern may be etchedusing an etching chemical or a laser. The diffraction material 122 isconfigured to separate wavelengths of light passing through it intodifferent colors on the color spectrum, producing a rainbow effectemanating from light sources in images captured through the diffractionmaterial 122. In this example, the square sheet of diffraction material122 is optionally monolithically framed within the 3D prismatic elementvia an injection molding process or other process. An opticalenhancement assembly, such as filter assembly 112, includes multipleoptical elements, and can produce multiple different types of opticaleffects within the same image. For example, use of the filter assembly112 can generate a diffractive effect in the center of the image, and areflective, prismatic effect around the perimeter of the image.

With reference to FIG. 2A, an example optical enhancement assembly 240including a securing agent 260, is illustrated. In this example, thesecuring agent 260 includes a mount retaining an optically non-uniformcircular filter assembly 210. The filter assembly 210 could be any ofthose illustrated in FIG. 1A, or can be a different filter assembly.Optionally, the filter assembly 210 may include two or more stackedfilters. Optionally, the stacked filters may be mounted in respectiverotatable housings. For example, one filter may be a diffraction filter,and positioned above (or below) the diffraction filter may be a filtercomprising a pyramid structure, where either or both the diffractionfilter and the pyramid structure may be rotated to produce differenteffects. The securing agent 260 may be mounted so as to position thefilter 210 over an aperture 230 (which may include a lens) of animage-capturing device 220.

In this example, the image-capturing device 220 is a smartphoneincorporating a camera having a sensor receiving light via the aperture230 (covered by the assembly and not visible in this figure), and thesecuring agent 260 comprises a clamp removably attached to thesmartphone device 220. For example, the clamp may be a plastic and/ormetal clamp. The clamp may include an upper clamp member and a lowerclamp member. The clamp members may be pivotally connected with eachother (e.g., via a pin or bearings). A spring mechanism may be providedthat urges respective ends of the clamp members towards each other, intoa closed position, where one of the members has the filter assembly 210mounted thereon towards a distal end of the member. The opposite ends ofthe clamp members may have a texture, hollows or ridges to facilitate auser's grip on each ends when compressing the opposite ends to place orremove the clamp on or from the image capturing device. When thespring-tensioned clamp is mounted on an image capturing device, onemember may extend downward over a rear side of the image capturingdevice and a second member may extend downward over a front side of theimage capturing device, and the filter 210 may thus be positioned over,and held against, the aperture 230.

While FIG. 2A depicts an optical enhancement assembly 240 configured tofunction with a smartphone 220 that has a single camera and lens, theenhancement assembly 240 may be configured to properly function withsmartphones, or other image-capturing devices, which have two or moreapertures (each of which may comprise one or more lenses) and two ormore camera sensors. Additionally, while the illustrated example depictsan optical enhancement assembly 240 configured to function with asmartphone 220 having a single circular aperture 230, the enhancementassembly 240 may optionally be configured and sized to function withapertures and/or lenses and/or cameras of other shapes, sizes, andquantities. For example, if the image-capturing device includes twoadjacent cameras, placed on above the other, or placed side by side, theoptical enhancement assembly may include a filter assembly 210sufficiently large and of appropriate shape (e.g., a rectangle, oval orcapsule shape) to cover the apertures of both cameras. Optionally, theenhancement assembly may include multiple filters, wherein a givenfilter is sized and positioned so as to cover a corresponding apertureof the image-capturing device.

The optical enhancement assembly 240 may also be configured to reduceand/or eliminate the effect of the image-capturing devices native flashand/or a flash or other illumination device included in the opticalenhancement assembly 240. For example, the optical enhancement assembly240 may include embedded light sources which can be manually activatedby the user and/or activated automatically in order to alter theappearance of the image or video being captured by the image capturingdevice 220. Optionally, the light sources are separately located fromthe primary structure of the optical enhancement assembly 240 but stillcomprise a part of the optical enhancement assembly 240 and arecontrollable by the user. Optionally, the light sources may bemulti-color (to enable the light colors to be dynamically changed orchanged via a programmed schedule). Optionally, the light sources may bestrobed. Optionally, the light sources may be affixed to remote controlor autonomous vehicles, such as small flying drones. Optionally, theposition of drones, the light intensity of the light sources, the strobefrequency of the light sources, and/or the color of the light sources,is controllable by the user via an application installed on a userdevice or via a dedicated controls (e.g., a remote control unit).

In this example, the optical enhancement assembly 240 includes thecircular non-uniform filter 210 secured within a circular plastichousing 250. This circular plastic housing 250 includes a threadedportion that enables the housing 250 to screw into threading on theclamp mechanism 260. For example, the threading of the clamp mechanism260 may be formed in the sidewalls of an orifice configured to be placedover the image capturing device aperture so that the filter 210 has alight path to the orifice and aperture. Optionally, instead of or inaddition to utilizing threads to retain the optical enhancement assembly240, a slide-in assembly (e.g., including one or a more of retainingrails configured to mate with slide members) or a snap-in assembly(e.g., configured to mate with a snap member, and with a button or othercontrol to release the optical enhancement assembly) may be utilized.The orifice and/or the filter may be sized to be larger than theaperture. The clamp mechanism 260 acts as a securing agent for removablyaffixing the clamp optical enhancement assembly 240 over the aperture230 of the image-capturing device 220. Optionally, the filter 210 may berotated within the circular plastic housing 250. Optionally, a ratchet(e.g., a ratchet spring and ball bearing mounted on the spring) may beprovided so that the filter 210 may be rotated in precise increments(e.g., 30, 60, 90, or 120 increments). Optionally, the housing 250 mayinclude a top portion (in which the filter is mounted) and a bottomportion. Optionally, the top portion may be rotatably coupled to thebottom portion.

The clamp mechanism 260 can be compressed to enable the opticalenhancement assembly 240 to cover the aperture 230 of theimage-capturing device 220, and released to affix the clamp opticalenhancement assembly 240 to the image-capturing device 220. The opticalenhancement assembly 240 can be similarly detached from theimage-capturing device 220 by compressing the clamping portion 260 todisengage the optical enhancement assembly 240 from the image-capturingdevice 220, and then removing the image-capturing device 220 frombetween the clamp members. The illustrated example depicts an opticalenhancement assembly 240 in which the circular non-uniform filter 210 issecured between two small circular plastic shelves on the interior ofthe circular plastic housing 250. Alternative embodiments optionallyinclude a filter 210 which is secured within and/or to the housing 250via one or more securing techniques, including, but not limited to,magnets, a binding agent such as glue, a seal, screws, pegs, a snappingsystem and other securing mechanisms.

With reference to FIG. 2B, an example optical enhancement assembly 240including a circular filter 215 is illustrated. The filter 215 could beany of those illustrated in FIG. 1A, or can be a different filterassembly The filter 215 may be placed over an aperture 235 of animage-capturing device 225 via a securing agent 245. In this example theimage-capturing device is a dedicated camera 225 (e.g., a DSLR (Digitalsingle-lens reflex) camera or mirrorless camera) with an aperture 235(covered by the assembly and not illustrated). The securing agent 245includes a threaded assembly in the material 255 housing the circularfilter 215. The threaded assembly may be removably screwed into matchingthreads of the camera lens housing (which may be a fixed or removablelens). The circular filter 215 may be configured to be rotatable withinthe securing agent 245.

Optionally, the filter 215 is not secured to the image capturing device225. Instead, the filter may be configured to be held by the user (e.g.,via a housing with a handle or grip area) in front of the cameraaperture 235. Optionally, another apparatus, physically separate fromthe image-capturing device 225, may be used to hold the filter in aposition in front of the aperture 235 so as to alter an image or videobeing captured on the device. Optionally, the filter 215 is secured tothe camera 225 using other techniques, such as, but not limited to, aclamp assembly, a magnetic assembly, or a tray assembly. Optionally, anapparatus is provided which may mount multiple optical elements (e.g., arotating carousel or multiple pivoting arms on which are mountedrespective optical filters, or configured as a set of stacked filtersthat may be mounted in respective stacked individually rotatablehousings so that all the filters are positioned over the aperture at thesame time and one or more of the stacked filters may be rotated at atime, thereby providing the user with a large palette of optical effectsand control of the same) that may be of different shapes and/orconfigured to produce different optical effects, so that theysimultaneously cover the aperture 235 of the camera 225 or successivelycover the aperture 235 of the camera 225. Still other mountingassemblies may be used.

With reference to FIG. 3, an example assembly including a circularfilter 310 is illustrated. The filter 310 could be any of thoseillustrated in FIG. 1A, or can be a different filter assembly. Thecircular filter 310 may be configured to be positioned over the aperture330 of an image-capturing device 320 via a securing agent 340. In thisexample, the image-capturing device is a smartphone 320 incorporating acamera with an aperture 330 (covered by the assembly, not illustrated).In addition, in this example, the securing agent 340 is a multi-partsystem, including an image-capturing device case (e.g. a smartphonecase) 350 with a magnetic ring 360 (covered by assembly and notillustrated) on the exterior or interior of the case 350. A filterassembly 370, (e.g., including a circular prismatic filter withdiffraction 310) is secured within a circular housing 380 having amagnetic ring 360 positioned on the bottom of the housing 380. Thecircular housing 380 is optionally composed of one or more of a numberof materials, including, but not limited to, plastics, metals, carbonfiber, rubber, wood, and/or other materials. The magnetic ringpositioned on or within the housing 380 and the magnetic ring 360positioned on or within the case 360 are affixed in such a way that themagnetic fields of each will cause the filter assembly 370 (e.g.,including one or more of the filters disclosed herein, such as thoseillustrated in FIG. 1) to firmly secure to the case 350 when the filterassembly 370 is placed directly over the magnetic ring on the case 360.Optionally, the magnets are placed within and/or on the housing 380 andcase 350, or similar components of the securing agent 340, to secure thecomponents in their respective functional locations.

Other attachment apparatus may be utilized. For example, a rotatablethreaded attachment mechanism may be provided to affix the filterassembly 370 the case 350, similar to the apparatus depicted in FIG. 2Aby which the circular plastic housing 250 is able to screw into theclamping portion 260. Optionally, instead of or in addition to utilizingthreads or magnets to retain the filter assembly 370, a slide-inassembly (e.g., including one or a more of retaining rails) or a snap-inassembly (e.g., with a button or other control to release the opticalenhancement assembly) may be utilized.

With reference to FIG. 4, an example assembly, including a circularfilter 410, is illustrated. The filter 410 could be any of thoseillustrated in FIG. 1A, or can be a different filter assembly. Thecircular filter 410 may be positioned over the aperture 430 (covered byassembly and not illustrated) of an image-capturing device 420 via asecuring agent 440. The filter 410 may optionally be secured to theimage-capturing device 420 (e.g., a smartphone) using the same orsimilar mechanism as depicted in FIG. 3 and described above. Thedepicted construction of the filter assembly 450 includes the circularfilter 410 affixed to a circular cross-section of the plastic housing460 that is connected to the filter assembly 450 such that the circularcross-section 460 is able to rotate 470 in-place freely in eitherdirection. Optionally, a ratchet (e.g., a ratchet spring and ballbearing mounted on the spring) may be provided so that the filterassembly 450 may be rotated in precise increments (e.g., 30, 60, 90, or120 increments).

As illustrated, a protuberance (e.g., knurl, small rod and/or sphericalstructure) 480 extends from or across the circular cross-section 460 sothat a user can more easily rotate the circular cross-section 460containing the circular filter 410 using their fingers. Optionally, suchmanual rotation is enabled by features and methods including, but notlimited to, ball-bearing rotation, gearing or dial which may be spun bythe user, and/or other physical features similar to the protuberancewhich the user can manipulate or grasp and spin in order to inducerotation of the filter 410.

Where the filter is non-uniform throughout its structure in color,shape, material and/or another defining characteristic that affects howlight travels through the filter to the aperture of an image-capturingdevice, adding a mechanism by which the filter can rotate while filming,enables the creation of live video effects which are not possible if thenon-uniform filter is fixed in one position.

As discussed above, the example illustrated in FIG. 4 enables the userto manually rotate the circular cross-section 460 containing thecircular filter 410 by grasping or placing a finger on the protuberancestructure 480 extending from the circular cross-section 460, andexerting force in either direction. In this example, exerting more forcein one direction would cause the circular cross-section 460 containingthe circular filter 410 to rotate at a faster rate, while exerting lessforce in either direction would cause the circular cross-section 460containing the circular filter 410 to rotate at a slower rate. In thisexample, the circular cross-section 460 containing the circular filter410, and the filter assembly 450 are made of plastic. However,optionally the circular cross-section 460 and/or filter assembly 450 areconstructed of one or more of a number of different materials,including, but not limited to plastics, metals, carbon fiber, rubber,wood, and/or other materials with different weights and/or finishes. Forexample, low friction materials may be used that reduce friction betweenthe circular cross-section 460 and filter assembly 450 enabling thecircular cross-section 460 to rotate freely 470 at a higher rate ofspeed and for a longer time. By way of further example, high frictionmaterials may be used that increase friction between the circularcross-section 460 and filter assembly 450 causing the circularcross-section 460 to rotate freely 470 at a slower rate of speed for alesser amount of time.

Other attachment structures may be used, such as by way of non-limitingexample, a configuration where the filter assembly 450 is affixed to thecase 490 via a rotatable threaded attachment mechanism, similar to theassembly depicted in FIG. 2, where the circular plastic housing 250 isconfigured to screw into the clamping portion 260.

Other example rotation mechanisms may be utilized including, but notlimited to, an alternative grasping/manipulation mechanism to theprotuberance structure 480 affixed to the circular cross-section 460, analternative rotation mechanism to the circular cross section 460. Forexample, the entire filter assembly 450 may be configured to rotaterelative to the case 490 to which it is removably attached. Optionally,a motor is provided that enables such rotation to be machine-powered anduser-controlled, instead of or in addition to being user-powered.

FIG. 5 depicts an example embodiment in which the rotation of a circularfilter 510 is powered by an electric DC motor 520 housed within anoptical enhancement assembly. In this example the optical enhancementassembly is comprised of a circular filter 510 and a device case 530(e.g., a smartphone case) in which the circular filter 510 is fixedlyhoused. In this example, the DC motor 520 is placed within the devicecase 530 enabling the DC motor 520, with an attached helical gear 540,to power the rotation of the circular filter 510 relative to theaperture 550 (covered by circular filter 510) of the image-capturingdevice 560. The helical gear 540 engages corresponding gear teeth on thematerial 570 housing the circular filter 510.

Additionally, in this example, the DC motor 520 is connected to acontrol module 580 and a battery 590, each of which is also housed inthe device case 530. Controls (two buttons 594, 595 embedded in thedevice case 530 in this example) are wired to communicate with thecontrol module 580 to send a signal to the DC motor 520. In thisexample, the controls and control module 580 are configured so thatpressing the first button 594 causes a corresponding signal to betransmitted to the control module 580 to rotate the circular filter 510clockwise. Similarly, the controls and control module are configured sothat pressing the second button 595 causes a corresponding signal to betransmitted to the control module 580 to rotate the circular filter 510counter-clockwise.

In this example, the battery 590 (which powers the electric DC motor 520and is housed within the device case 530) is rechargeable via a port 596in the device case 530. The port may be, by way of example, a Micro-USBport, a USB-C port, a Lightning port, or other port. A user may insert amating connector, on one end of a cord, into the device case 530, andinsert a connector (e.g., a USB-A connector, USB-C connector) on theother end of the cord into a mating powered connector (e.g., of an ACadapter or backup battery) in order to recharge the battery 590 in thedevice case 530. This assembly is optionally constructed so that anyembodiment functions when paired with its corresponding image-capturingdevice or devices, for which it is uniquely designed, including, but notlimited to, mobile phones, smart phones, tablets, laptops, glasses,augmented reality headsets, desktops, drones, wearable or handheldcameras, watches, remote devices, and the like.

Other attachment methods may be utilized with respect to the exampleillustrated in FIG. 5. For example, and without limitation, some or allof the components may be housed within the device case (e.g., circularlens filter 510, control module 592, battery 590, controls 594, 595,and/or port 596). Optionally, some or all of the components are housedwithin a removably attachable assembly similar to the clamp opticalenhancement assembly 240 depicted in FIG. 2A, or similar to the threadedoptical enhancement assembly depicted in FIG. 4. Optionally othernon-uniform filters (e.g., filters 110, 111, 112 depicted in FIG. 1) maybe employed which are optionally removable and interchangeable withother uniform or non-uniform filters or lenses.

Optionally, other motor-types may be used instead of or addition to theDC motor 520, including, but not limited to, stepper and servo motors.Using such motors optionally enables greater user control over thespeed, degree, and direction of the rotation of the circular filter 510.Optionally, the control module 592 may comprise an Arduino computermodule, a Raspberry Pi computer module, a Bluetooth-enabled module, orother device(s).

The control module 592 may provide user control over the speed, degree,and/or direction of the rotation of the circular filter 510. Forexample, the user may control the speed, degree, and direction of therotation of the circular filter 510 via an adjustable dial on the devicecase 530, a slider on the device case 530, buttons, dials, and/orsliders provide by a remote device separate from the device case 530.Optionally, the remote device may be configured to communicatewirelessly by sending wired or wireless signals, including, but notlimited to, RF, Bluetooth and others, to the control module 592.Optionally, a paired device app hosted on a user device (e.g., a mobilecommunication device) may be utilized that provides on-screen controlsin which the user could select and change speed, degree, and directionof rotation of the circular filter 510, may program a custom rotation ofthe circular filter 510, or may select (e.g., from a menu) apre-programmed rotation of the circular filter 510 to employ.

By way of example, where the rotation of the circular filter 510 iscontrollable via a device app, the device app may communicate with thecontrol module 592 via signals from the device app received through awireless (e.g., Bluetooth) connection between the device and the controlmodule 592 housed within the device case 530. Optionally, instead, thecontrol module 592 housed within the device case 530 may connectdirectly with the device through a data port present in the device.

Optionally, the battery 590 housed within the optical enhancementassembly is configured to charge the battery of the image-capturingdevice in addition to powering the motor 520 and control module 592.Optionally, a second battery is included in the optical enhancementassembly configured to charge the battery of the image-capturing device.Optionally, all or part of the optical enhancement assembly creates awaterproof seal around the image-capturing device 560. Optionally, theoptical enhancement assembly is configured with an induction coil and isconfigured to be wirelessly charged.

Optionally, the optical enhancement assembly can wirelessly charge theimage-capturing device 560. Optionally, the circular filter 510 isconfigured to be interchangeable with one or more of any number ofcompatible filters or lenses. Optionally, multiple filters and/or lensescan be positioned to simultaneously cover the aperture 550 of theimage-capturing device 560. Optionally, one or more over such a stack ofmultiple filters and/or lenses may be configured to be separatelyrotatable relative to other filters and/or lenses in the stack,permitting a large palette of optical effects. Optionally, multiplefilters may be provided as part of the optical enhancement assemblywhich can be individually positioned over the aperture 550 of theimage-capturing device 560. Optionally, the optical enhancement assemblyfeatures native augmented-reality coding that optionally adds additionaldigital effects to images captured through the optical enhancementassembly on an image-capturing device 560.

The materials, lenses, assemblies, electronics, devices, cases,manufacturing techniques, and/or processes disclosed herein may be usedin conjunction with and in combination with materials, lenses,assemblies, electronics, devices, cases, manufacturing techniques,and/or processes disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 9,569,683, titled “Removablediffraction assembly for electronic device”, the content of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the disclosure. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms. Furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in thesystems and methods described herein may be made without departing fromthe spirit of the disclosure. For example, one portion of one of theembodiments described herein can be substituted for another portion inanother embodiment described herein.

Features, materials, characteristics, or groups described in conjunctionwith a particular aspect, embodiment, or example are to be understood tobe applicable to any other aspect, embodiment or example described inthis section or elsewhere in this specification unless incompatibletherewith. All of the features disclosed in this specification(including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or allof the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined inany combination, except combinations where at least some of suchfeatures and/or steps are mutually exclusive. The protection is notrestricted to the details of any foregoing embodiments. The protectionextends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the featuresdisclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims,abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination,of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.

Furthermore, certain features that are described in this disclosure inthe context of separate implementations can also be implemented incombination in a single implementation. Conversely, various featuresthat are described in the context of a single implementation can also beimplemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitablesubcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above asacting in certain combinations, one or more features from a claimedcombination can, in some cases, be excised from the combination, and thecombination may be claimed as a subcombination or variation of asubcombination.

Moreover, while operations may be depicted in the drawings or describedin the specification in a particular order, such operations need not beperformed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or thatall operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. Otheroperations that are not depicted or described can be incorporated in theexample methods and processes. For example, one or more additionaloperations can be performed before, after, simultaneously, or betweenany of the described operations. Further, the operations may berearranged or reordered in other implementations. Those skilled in theart will appreciate that in some embodiments, the actual steps taken inthe processes illustrated and/or disclosed may differ from those shownin the figures. Depending on the embodiment, certain of the stepsdescribed above may be removed, others may be added. Furthermore, thefeatures and attributes of the specific embodiments disclosed above maybe combined in different ways to form additional embodiments, all ofwhich fall within the scope of the present disclosure. Also, theseparation of various system components in the implementations describedabove should not be understood as requiring such separation in allimplementations, and it should be understood that the describedcomponents and systems can generally be integrated together in a singleproduct or packaged into multiple products.

For purposes of this disclosure, certain aspects, advantages, and novelfeatures are described herein. Not necessarily all such advantages maybe achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment. Thus, forexample, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure maybe embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves one advantage or agroup of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving otheradvantages as may be taught or suggested herein.

Conditional language, such as “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unlessspecifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within thecontext as used, is generally intended to convey that certainembodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certainfeatures, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is notgenerally intended to imply that features, elements, and/or steps are inany way required for one or more embodiments or that one or moreembodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without userinput or prompting, whether these features, elements, and/or steps areincluded or are to be performed in any particular embodiment.

Conjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, and Z,”unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with thecontext as used in general to convey that an item, term, etc. may beeither X, Y, or Z. Thus, such conjunctive language is not generallyintended to imply that certain embodiments require the presence of atleast one of X, at least one of Y, and at least one of Z.

Language of degree used herein, such as the terms “approximately,”“about,” “generally,” and “substantially” as used herein represent avalue, amount, or characteristic close to the stated value, amount, orcharacteristic that still performs a desired function or achieves adesired result. For example, the terms “approximately”, “about”,“generally,” and “substantially” may refer to an amount that is withinless than 10% of, within less than 5% of, within less than 1% of, withinless than 0.1% of, and within less than 0.01% of the stated amount. Asanother example, in certain embodiments, the terms “generally parallel”and “substantially parallel” refer to a value, amount, or characteristicthat departs from exactly parallel by less than or equal to 15 degrees,10 degrees, 5 degrees, 3 degrees, 1 degree, or 0.1 degree.

The results of the disclosed methods may be stored in any type ofcomputer data repository, such as relational databases and flat filesystems that use volatile and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., magneticdisk storage, optical storage, EEPROM and/or solid state RAM).

The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, routines, andalgorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosedherein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, orcombinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability ofhardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules,and steps have been described above generally in terms of theirfunctionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware orsoftware depends upon the particular application and design constraintsimposed on the overall system. The described functionality can beimplemented in varying ways for each particular application, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the disclosure.

Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks and modules describedin connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implementedor performed by a machine, such as a general purpose processor device, adigital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integratedcircuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or otherprogrammable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discretehardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform thefunctions described herein. A general purpose processor device can be amicroprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor device can be acontroller, microcontroller, or state machine, combinations of the same,or the like. A processor device can include electrical circuitryconfigured to process computer-executable instructions. In anotherembodiment, a processor device includes an FPGA or other programmabledevice that performs logic operations without processingcomputer-executable instructions. A processor device can also beimplemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combinationof a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one ormore microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suchconfiguration. Although described herein primarily with respect todigital technology, a processor device may also include primarily analogcomponents. A computing environment can include any type of computersystem, including, but not limited to, a computer system based on amicroprocessor, a mainframe computer, a digital signal processor, aportable computing device, a device controller, or a computationalengine within an appliance, to name a few.

The elements of a method, process, routine, or algorithm described inconnection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodieddirectly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processordevice, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside inRAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory,registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of anon-transitory computer-readable storage medium. An exemplary storagemedium can be coupled to the processor device such that the processordevice can read information from, and write information to, the storagemedium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to theprocessor device. The processor device and the storage medium can residein an ASIC. The ASIC can reside in a user terminal. In the alternative,the processor device and the storage medium can reside as discretecomponents in a user terminal.

While the above detailed description has shown, described, and pointedout novel features as applied to various embodiments, it can beunderstood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in theform and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be madewithout departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As can berecognized, certain embodiments described herein can be embodied withina form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forthherein, as some features can be used or practiced separately fromothers. The scope of certain embodiments disclosed herein is indicatedby the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. Allchanges which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of theclaims are to be embraced within their scope.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile communication device enclosure assemblyconfigured to position an optical element over a mobile communicationdevice camera sensor, the mobile communication device enclosure assemblycomprising: an optical element housing; a non-uniform optical element,the non-uniform optical element rotatably mounted to the optical elementhousing, a manipulation mechanism, which when manipulated, causes thenon-uniform optical element rotatably mounted to the optical elementhousing to rotate within the optical element housing, wherein rotationof the non-uniform optical element causes light passing through thenon-uniform optical element, to the mobile communication device camerasensor, to correspondingly alter the light.
 2. The mobile communicationdevice enclosure assembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising: astack of optical elements, the stack of optical elements including: thenon-uniform optical element rotatably mounted to the optical elementhousing, and a second optical element, wherein the non-uniform opticalelement is rotatable relative to the second optical element, and whereinthe non-uniform optical element comprises: a first structure, and asecond structure, wherein the first structure has different opticalcharacteristics than the second structure.
 3. The mobile communicationdevice enclosure assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein the non-uniformoptical element comprises two or more different structures on orextending from a surface of the non-uniform optical element, wherein afirst structure has different optical characteristics than a secondstructure.
 4. The mobile communication device enclosure assembly asdefined in claim 1, wherein the non-uniform optical element comprises astack of at least a first optical element and a second optical element,wherein the first optical element is rotatable relative to the secondoptical element.
 5. The mobile communication device enclosure assemblyas defined in claim 1, wherein the optical element housing comprises: afirst assembly, the first assembly configured to house the non-uniformoptical element; and a second assembly comprising a threaded areaconfigured to threadably engage a threaded orifice on the mobilecommunication device enclosure assembly, wherein the first assembly andthe second assembly are rotatably coupled to each other.
 6. The mobilecommunication device enclosure assembly as defined in claim 1, whereinthe non-uniform optical element comprises: a first structure comprisingan outer ring of angled surfaces; and a second structure comprising anoptically transparent area, wherein the second non-uniform opticalelement structure occupies an area within the outer ring.
 7. The mobilecommunication device enclosure assembly as defined in claim 1, whereinthe non-uniform optical element comprises: a first plurality oftriangular features having a first orientation; and a second pluralityof triangular features having a second orientation, the firstorientation different than the second orientation.
 8. The mobilecommunication device enclosure assembly as defined in claim 1, whereinthe non-uniform optical element comprises: a first structure comprisinga reflective area; and a second structure comprising a refractive area.9. The mobile communication device enclosure assembly as defined inclaim 1, wherein the non-uniform optical element comprises: a firststructure comprising a prismatic area; and a second structure comprisinga fractalized pattern.
 10. The mobile communication device enclosureassembly as defined in claim 1, further comprising: one or moreuser-controllable light sources configured to illuminate an object whoseimage is being captured using the non-uniform optical element.
 11. Themobile communication device enclosure assembly as defined in claim 1,wherein the manipulatation mechanism further comprises and protrusionand/or a motor configured to rotate the non-uniform optical element inresponse to an activation of a rotation control.
 12. An optical device,the optical device comprising: an assembly configured to couple theoptical device to a portable communication image capture device housing,the portable communication image capture device housing comprising anaperture, the attachment assembly comprising: an optical element housingreceiving area, the optical element housing receiving area configured toposition a non-uniform optical element with respect to the aperture toenable light to pass from the non-uniform optical element to a camerasensor below; the optical element housing, the optical element housingconfigured to engage the optical element housing receiving area of theattachment assembly; and the non-uniform optical element rotatablymounted using the optical element housing, wherein rotation of thenon-uniform optical element causes light passing through the non-uniformoptical element, as the non-uniform optical element is rotated, to becorrespondingly altered.
 13. The optical device as defined in claim 12,wherein the non-uniform optical element comprises two or more differentstructures on or extending from a surface of the non-uniform opticalelement, wherein a first structure has different optical characteristicsthan a second structure.
 14. The optical device as defined in claim 12,wherein the non-uniform optical element comprises a stack of at least afirst optical element and a second optical element, wherein the firstoptical element is rotatable relative to the second optical element. 15.The optical device as defined in claim 12, further comprising aprotuberance operatively coupled to the non-uniform optical element,wherein rotating the protuberance with respect to the optical elementhousing causes the non-uniform optical element to rotate within theoptical element housing.
 16. The optical device as defined in claim 12,wherein the non-uniform optical element comprises: a first structurecomprising an outer ring of angled surfaces; and a second structurecomprising an optically transparent area, wherein the second non-uniformoptical element structure occupies an area within the outer ring. 17.The optical device as defined in claim 12, wherein the non-uniformoptical element comprises: a first structure comprising an orificehaving no material therein, wherein the orifice occupies a center areaof the non-uniform optical element.
 18. The optical device as defined inclaim 12, wherein the non-uniform optical element comprises: a firstplurality of triangular features having a first orientation; and asecond plurality of triangular features having a second orientation, thefirst orientation different than the second orientation.
 19. The opticaldevice as defined in claim 12, wherein the non-uniform optical elementcomprises: a first structure comprising a reflective area; and a secondstructure comprising a refractive area.
 20. The optical device asdefined in claim 12, wherein the non-uniform optical element comprises:a first structure comprising a prismatic area; and a second structurecomprising a fractalized pattern.
 21. The optical device as defined inclaim 12, wherein the attachment assembly comprises a clamp comprising:an upper clamp member having a first end and a second end, wherein thesecond end comprises an orifice, and a lower clamp member having a firstend and a second, where the upper clamp member and the lower clampmember meet at a pivot area; and a tension structure configured to urgerespective seconds ends of the clamp members towards each other.
 22. Theoptical device as defined in claim 12, further comprising: one or moreuser-controllable light sources configured to illuminate an object whoseimage is being captured using the optical device.
 23. The optical deviceas defined in claim 12, further comprising a motor configured to rotatethe non-uniform optical element in response to an activation of arotation control.
 24. A method of manufacturing an optical device foruse in modifying light to be provided to camera sensor of a portablecommunication device, the method of manufacturing the optical devicecomprising: providing an attachment assembly configured to couple theoptical device to the portable communication device, the optical devicecomprising: a non-uniform optical element; causing an optical elementhousing to be affixed to the attachment assembly; and rotatably mountingthe non-uniform optical element to the optical element housing, whereinrotation of the non-uniform optical element causes light passing throughthe non-uniform optical element as the non-uniform optical element isrotated to be correspondingly altered by the non-uniform opticalelement.
 25. The method as defined in claim 24, the method furthercomprising providing a protuberance operatively coupled to thenon-uniform optical element, wherein rotating the protuberance about theoptical element housing causes the non-uniform optical element torotate.
 26. The method as defined in claim 24, the method furthercomprising manufacturing the non-uniform optical element to: form anouter ring of angled surfaces; and form an optically transparent areawithin the outer ring.
 27. The method as defined in claim 24, the methodfurther comprising manufacturing the non-uniform optical element toform: a first plurality of triangular features having a firstorientation; and a second plurality of triangular features having asecond orientation, the first orientation different than the secondorientation.
 28. The method as defined in claim 24, the method furthercomprising manufacturing the non-uniform optical element to form: areflective area; and a refractive area.
 29. The method as defined inclaim 24, the method further comprising manufacturing the non-uniformoptical element to form: a prismatic area; and a fractalized pattern.30. The method as defined in claim 24, the method further comprisingmanufacturing non-uniform optical element by: dispensing a liquidoptical material into a mold; and after the optical material hashardened, removing the hardened optical material from the mold.